Top Christmas Fairs and Markets in London

Seeing as London is an exciting city all year round, Christmas events really have to be special in order to attract visitors. Luckily there’s no shortage of amazing and interesting events that happen throughout the city. Christmas is the rare time of the year when most people can come together and take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle. Giving and receiving presents is just one fun aspect of the holidays. Shopping is super easy to do in this city, especially during the holidays. The top Christmas fairs and markets in London offer everything from warm drinks and food to shopping for your loved ones by getting them something unique. Food is probably one of the most important aspect of the holidays, so it’s no wonder that a lot of the events in London offer a great variety of delicious foods. The Chocolate Festival will be a favorite events for many, and we see no good reason why people shouldn’t visit this sweet London festival. If you think that London is a neat city, wait until you experience it during the holidays, it’s unlike anything else you’ve seen.

Are you a fan of traditional English design? Christmas is all about tradition, and Country Living’s Fair 2015 brings all of the coziness and warmth one could need for the perfect holiday. This year there will be more than 400 exhibitors from all around the country. The neat thing about this fair is that there are a lot of handmade items, so you know that the gifts you buy aren’t run of the mill ones that came off the production lines. The event will be held at Business Design Center in London.

Are you a foodie? For the people out there who like giving their taste buds a treat, there’s no better place during the holidays than the Taste of London festival. Roughly 30,000 people visit the event every year, and this gastronomic event hopes to attract even more in the future. Visitors can take part in actual live cooking demonstrations, which might just teach them how to prepare the perfect dish for their friends and family during the holidays. The event will be held at the Tobacco Dock in London.

During the wintertime, much of Hyde Park becomes a magical and magnificent place called Winder Wonderland. The park turns into a seriously fun venue with a Christmas Market, circus, food and beverage stalls, neat rides, and of course an ice rink. One of the most popular features of the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is the Zippos Circus, which is a 53 meter tall observational wheel. This particular event doesn’t come cheap, so come with a full wallet, but it’s certainly a very fun.

On the riverfront between Waterloo Bridge and the London Eye is where the annual Southbank Christmas Market comes back once again. Strolling down the riverside on a beautiful and brisk winter day is probably the coolest free things you can do. The wooden chalets that are set up here sell everything from gift cards, toys, ceramic knick-knacks, to jewelry. If you’re looking to get new Christmas decorations, you’ll find plenty of that here as well. If you get hungry on your walk by the riverside, you’ll find hog roasts, delicious sausages, all sorts of beverages, and plenty of sweets to choose from.

Winterville first took place in Victoria Park in 2014, and this year the organizers hope to make it even more popular. Winterville is East London’s answer to some already established events such as the Winter Wonderland. Their Bizarre Bazaar is guaranteed to offer up some very unique presents, but other than that there’s an ice rink, a cinema that can be accessed through a mysterious and secret tunnel. One thing is for certain, kids will have an absolutely blast at Winterville 2015.

The German Christmas Market was located on the Southbank for the past six years, and now it has relocated to Bankside, just in front of the Tate Modern. There are around 70 traditional wooden chalets that sell everything from shiny jewelry, handmade toys, and of course you’ll find plenty of stomach warming mulled wine as well. Despite the relocation of the market, it still offers some pretty magnificent views, with the city’s skyline and St Paul’s Cathedral as the market’s backdrop.

After a two-year hiatus the Islington Christmas Market is back once again. For 2015 it will be located at Islington Green. If you’re are looking for alternative places to do your Xmas shopping at, you’ll be delighted at the offerings here. The event has more than 70 handpicked sellers and exhibitors that came from all over the UK. These smaller food producers love showcasing their products at events like this. For the kids, there’s also a Santa’s grotto where they can have some time with Father Christmas himself.

Christmas shopping is sometimes a bit tedious and the more cynical people find it to be downright hypocritical. But the organizers behind this London market call it “Christmas shopping with soul”. Being original is much easier when faced with the opportunity to buy something that is genuinely unique. There’s everything from paintings, to toys, steel jewelry, books, etc. Make sure to check out their website for more information about the locations of their events.

For the second year in a row, the Christmas Arcade will transform the Somerset House’s West wing into a very colorful and Christmassy pop-up store that are somewhat common, but rarely done with any style. This holiday event will showcase only the finest products that Fortnum and Mason’s have to offer. Foodies and accessory fans will be delighted with that they will find here. This year’s event will be split into two main rooms, men’s and women’s.

Open only until the 24th of December, the Greenwich Christmas market is situated on a world heritage site, there are over one hundred seller and exhibitors who sell anything and everything from jewelry to antiques, and of course always colorful decorations. It’s very easy getting into the Christmas spirit when surrounded by all the wonderful foods and drinks that events like this offer. The smells can be absolutely magnificent! In Santa’s grotto, kids have the ability to meet Santa Clause and take a few pictures with him as well.

In the festive and cheery atmosphere of the Angel Center, it’s easy spending some quality family time. Santa Clause, along with his reindeer and helpful elves, spreads the holiday spirit with a cheerful attitude and daily giveaways. Choirs from the local schools and charities regularly sing at the Angel Center, giving this Christmas event a community feeling, which is exactly what the holiday is about.